HOW TO STRETCH YOUR MONEY DURING THE RECESSION-HELPFUL TIPS

SHOP WISE

Large family packages are most always cheaper. You can divide it up into smaller containers once you get home with it. Some supermarkets have entire isles reserved just for bulk food that you can package yourself for a huge discount. In some communities they have special stores that only carry bulk supplies. Shopping Club stores offer great discounts on bulk stuff. Be careful as not to get carried away with buying a lot you don't really need. It's good to keep stocked up but use logic as you do it.

Always use a shopping list and stick to that list while trying not to take any longer than needed to get the things on the list. This will stop you from buying more than you need. The best time to shop is after a meal so you're not tempted by an empty stomach.

USE MFG. COUPONS

Coupons from manufacturers and supermarkets can add additional savings to your grocery bill. We can find them in store isles, food packages, magazines, newspapers, and online. Some stores may not accept the ones you printed from a web site but many will. Some stores will even double the coupon giving you many smaller packages at no extra expense at all. Free does sound good. This would be the time not to buy bulk. If you have many coupons alike you could buy as many items as you have coupons to get that deal on.

DO NOT BE WASTEFUL

The landfills are full enough without adding more to them. Don't put it in the trash when you can sell or donate to charity. Perhaps someone you know could use the item. Yard sales or online action sites could put extra money in your pocket. People are way too wasteful these days.

Many things can be recycled like aluminum cans, plastic bottles, paper, cardboard, and metals. Most towns have a salvage yard or recycling center. Salvage yards will pay you per pound for these collections. Some metals like copper and brass pay more than others. It could mean a hobby you could make a living at.

Things like plastic bags, coffee cans and plastic containers that other things came in can be reused. Bread bags work well for freezing most vegetables and meat. Storage bags can be washed in the dishpan and dried to use again. Wax paper from cereal boxes work for cooling cookies from the oven.

Our grandparents survived the depression by not wasting things. They repaired what they could and found use for things they didn't need. They mended clothes or used them for quilts, rugs, or cleaning rags. The stories they tell could help us deal with a recession.

DO IT YOURSELF

Do it yourself when possible. Home improvement projects can be expensive, but if you are capable of doing the task yourself you will save money. Most places that sell remodeling materials will offer instructions on how to do things yourself.

Grow your own vegetables and can or freeze them yourself. Some vegetables do well in a pot or window box for those without room elsewhere to plant them.

Any project will save you money if you can do it yourself. Car repairs, appliance repairs, and home repairs all suck up much of your hard earned money. If you can't do it maybe you know someone who can. Perhaps you can swap a service you do for trade.

Some More Helpful Tips

Grandma&#039;s Depression Era Survival TipsI always admired how my grandmothers got by on so little. Living through the depression gave them insights on how to save and get by on much less. In this hub article I remember a few things they taught me.

Comments

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Reynold Jay 6 years agofrom Saginaw, Michigan

Little wonder that you have that 92 HUB score. You deserve it so much. Gorgeous layout with the sub-headers, the photo, proper brevity. And streeeeetchiongggg money is soooooo important too. Nicely done UP And Awesome.

Author

Diana L Pierce 6 years agofrom Potter County, Pa.

I'm always looking for saving tips, so thought others would be too.

Kathy 6 years agofrom California

thanks diane - I sure need these right now, every little bit helps, thanks for sharing!

Author

Diana L Pierce 6 years agofrom Potter County, Pa.

Glad you found the ideas useful.

Brenda Barnes 6 years agofrom America-Broken But Still Beautiful

My refrigerator/freezer is full of produce and so is the chest freezer. This had been a blessed summer to put aside for the winter.

You have some great ideas here. Thanks so much.

lady rain 6 years agofrom Australia

Great ideas on stretching the dollar, the recession seems to hang around for too long this decade.